EUGENE, Ore. â€“ Martin Elery Beal, 38, of Springfield, Oregon, was sentenced this week by United States District Court Judge Michael R. Hogan to serve 15 years and eight months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

Beal was also ordered to serve a supervised release term of five years.

Because Bealâ€™s criminal history included at least three previous convictions for violent felonies, his possession of a firearm classified him as an armed career criminal; under federal law, this mandated a minimum 15-year sentence.

This investigation arose from Bealâ€™s burglary of a residence in Springfield, Oregon in July 2006 in which he stole 21 firearms and other property after gaining access to two safes inside the home.

The Eugene Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Springfield Police Department successfully investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Papagni.